The disciples in the early church appointed deacons to take care of much of the serving as they realized that they should focus on prayer and the word (Acts 6:1-4). Should our churches or personal lives be any different? Prayer and the word are so foundational to our lives.

The early church continued steadfastly in the word and prayer (Acts 2:42). We need God's word to build our faith (Rom 10:17) and we must pray in faith for our prayers to be effective (Mark 11:23-24). It is also a powerful spiritual weapon (Heb 4:12) with which we can resist the attacks of satan (Eph. 6:17). When we resist him by speaking the word, the Bible says he must flee from us (James 4:7).

When we pray according to God's word, he hears us and gives us the requests of our hearts (1 John 5:14-15). The word has power to change us (1 Thess 2:13) and is a beacon to guide us through life (James 5:16b) but when we come together as Christians in unity even greater power is released (Acts 2:1-4; 4:31). In Deuteronomy 32:30 we are told that one can put a thousand to flight but two can put ten thousand to flight.

Often in our Christian walk we can be distracted by our desire for the spectacular and forget the essentials that open up to the supernatural. Consistency is the key, a firm foundation. Faith and patience receive the promises (Heb 6:12). Never tire of what is essential; God is faithful.

Pass this on.